Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24:
A one-day consultative meeting on "3X5 Initiative of WHO/UNAIDS" for working out a strategic planning and action plan development for effective implementation of the programme for treating people living with HIV/AIDS was held at the State Guest House here today.
The meeting assumes significance in view of the fact that Manipur being one of the high HIV/AIDS prevalent State in the country has been identified as one of the recipient in the first phase of the programme.
Moreover, in response to the call of the WHO/UNAIDS, Union Health Ministry had also announced for providing anti-retroviral vaccine free of cost to over one lakh people living with the killer virus beginning from April, 2004.Project Director of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) Dr S Sukumar Singh inaugurated the meeting organized by GIPA Alliance as chief guest and secretary of CARE Foundation W Ronny spoke at length on the finer details of the 3 X 5 Initiative.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Dr Sukumar welcomed the initiative of the WHO/UNAIDS and the Union Health Ministry and hoped that all the NGOs and voluntary organizations working the field would extend their co-operation and support in implementation of the programme in the State.
He said that MACS alone could not combat HIV/AIDS without the help of the people.
In the technical session of the consultative meeting attended by doctors and representatives of NGOs working in the field, Head of Department of Microbiology, RIMS Dr Ng Brajachand was the moderator and Dr Kokindro of JN Hospital, State TB Officer Dr G Binodkumar and MNP+ president L Lilabanta presented papers on the theme of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) monitoring.
Dr Kokindro had specially stressed on the need on the part of the HIV/AIDS infected persons to give up their 'high risk behaviour'.
He said that though anti-retroviral vaccine could improve the health of the patient considerably within six months of treatment, it should be used consistently and properly.
After lunch, the technical session continued under the theme of 'ART Management' with former Medical Superintendent of JN Hospital and senior consultant Dr P Narendra as moderator and physician of JN Hospital Dr K Priyokumar, paediatrician Dr Th Ratankumar and Associate Professor of RIMS Dr L Ranbir as resource persons.
In third part of the technical session, MNP+ president L Lilabanta was the moderator and secretary of Care Foundation W Ronny, secretary of MNP+ L Deepak, and secretary of SASO L Birendrajit presented their papers.
After a thorough discussion of the problems of the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), various recommendations for effective implementation of3X5 Initiative in the State were put forward.